About the book
Why the Internet was designed to be the way it is, and how it could be different, now and in the future.
How do you design an internet? The architecture of the current Internet is the product of basic design decisions made early in its history. What would an internet look like if it were designed, today, from the ground up? In this book, MIT computer scientist David Clark explains how the Internet is actually put together, what requirements it was designed to meet, and why different design decisions would create different internets. He does not take today's Internet as a given but tries to learn from it, and from alternative proposals for what an internet might be, in order to draw some general conclusions about network architecture.
Clark discusses the history of the Internet, and how a range of potentially conflicting requirements—including longevity, security, availability, economic viability, management, and meeting the needs of society—shaped its character. He addresses both the technical aspects of the Internet and its broader social and economic contexts. He describes basic design approaches and explains, in terms accessible to nonspecialists, how networks are designed to carry out their functions. (An appendix offers a more technical discussion of network functions for readers who want the details.) He considers a range of alternative proposals for how to design an internet, examines in detail the key requirements a successful design must meet, and then imagines how to design a future internet from scratch. It's not that we should expect anyone to do this; but, perhaps, by conceiving a better future, we can push toward it.
Editions of Designing an Internet
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262038607
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262547703
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262348492
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262348508
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262348515
Read an Excerpt
Why the Internet was designed to be the way it is, and how it could be different, now and in the future.
How do you design an internet? The architecture of the current Internet is the product of basic design decisions made early in its history. What would an internet look like if it were designed, today, from the ground up? In this book, MIT computer scientist David Clark explains how the Internet is actually put together, what requirements it was designed to meet, and why different design decisions would create different internets. He does not take today's Internet as a given but tries to learn from it, and from alternative proposals for what an internet might be, in order to draw some general conclusions about network architecture.
Clark discusses the history of the Internet, and how a range of potentially conflicting requirements—including longevity, security, availability, economic viability, management, and meeting the needs of society—shaped its character. He addresses both the technical aspects of the Internet and its broader social and economic contexts. He describes basic design approaches and explains, in terms accessible to nonspecialists, how networks are designed to carry out their functions. (An appendix offers a more technical discussion of network functions for readers who want the details.) He considers a range of alternative proposals for how to design an internet, examines in detail the key requirements a successful design must meet, and then imagines how to design a future internet from scratch. It's not that we should expect anyone to do this; but, perhaps, by conceiving a better future, we can push toward it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Designing an Internet about?
Why the Internet was designed to be the way it is, and how it could be different, now and in the future.
How do you design an internet? The architecture of the current Internet is the product of basic design decisions made early in its history. What would an internet look like if it were designed, today, from the ground up? In this book, MIT computer scientist David Clark explains how the Internet is actually put together, what requirements it was designed to meet, and why different design decisions would create different internets. He does not take today's Internet as a given but tries to learn from it, and from alternative proposals for what an internet might be, in order to draw some general conclusions about network architecture.
Clark discusses the history of the Internet, and how a range of potentially conflicting requirements—including longevity, security, availability, economic viability, management, and meeting the needs of society—shaped its character. He addresses both the technical aspects of the Internet and its broader social and economic contexts. He describes basic design approaches and explains, in terms accessible to nonspecialists, how networks are designed to carry out their functions. (An appendix offers a more technical discussion of network functions for readers who want the details.) He considers a range of alternative proposals for how to design an internet, examines in detail the key requirements a successful design must meet, and then imagines how to design a future internet from scratch. It's not that we should expect anyone to do this; but, perhaps, by conceiving a better future, we can push toward it.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Designing an Internet?
Computing and Information Technology > Digital and Information technology: general topics > Internet: general works
Where can I read a sample of Designing an Internet?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262038607
Is Designing an Internet part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Information Policy
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Designing an Internet?
David D. Clark
Who is the Publisher of the book Designing an Internet?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Designing an Internet is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780262038607) and paperback(ISBN 9780262547703) and ebook(ISBN 9780262348492) and ebook(ISBN 9780262348508) and ebook(ISBN 9780262348515)
Where can I buy Designing an Internet online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Designing an Internet from below
Where can I buy Designing an Internet?